This week I will share a personal testimony in thanksgiving and honor to God who has brought me to this place- I call it a place of rest. I have discovered that I can and ALL OF US can still come to a place of rest in Christ Jesus while still alive!
First, this rest comes through redemption and being accepted as God’s children and partakers on Christ in His place of rest. Based on ongoing experience with the Holy Spirit, the place of rest is fully steered and brought about by the wonderful Person of the Holy Spirit. He started by endowing me with the Spirit of Joy. I describe it as an unexplained “joyous high” where my mind emotions and body had less tolerance for offenses. My mind could be very upset, but yet my heart would be very still and joyous and within a short period, the offense would lift off completely and I would be fully joyful again.
Next, rest came through assurance in His promises. I am an avid reader of the Bible but I recall a day (in November 2015) when the verse came alive. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7”. Literally, from that moment it is a though my mind fights and refuses to entertain anxiety. When the thoughts of “what if” and “what about” and ‘how” and “how much”, “when” start, my mind switches to this scripture. At times it is as though the Holy Spirit is telling me to “knock it off”; with reminders such as “what is faith then? You pray Pauline don’t you? Yes, Holy Spirit, I would answer.
This rest also comes through Peace in the Spirit. I’ve come to experience this rest by receiving the gift of Peace. The Peace that Christ left with us, “My peace I give you”. I really cannot describe it other than being in a place of stillness. So still, I can touch the thin transparent stillness of this peace. It is a peace that surpasses human understanding. It Sure is!
So this week, surrender and welcome the Peace of the Holy Spirit. Rest by praying, casting your cares to God for He cares for you. Rest by praising God in thanksgiving. Rest by singing. When anxiety, fear, doubt or questions arise, rest in the assurance of God as our all in all. Rest in God our Papa. Sit on His lap and enjoy His embrace and warmth. He is our affirmation, He alone validates us, He is our firm foundation. We are edified and assured by Him. He is our supporter and cheerleader, our fortress in whom we are firmly grounded. In His rest we stand unshakeable. This rest is the place of experiencing God’s fullness, His continuous presence, His fellowship, AN EXPERIENCE OF THE STILLNESS OF GOD; this is His rest. THIS REST IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD; RIGHTEOUNESS, PEACE & JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. We can experience rest on earth while still alive. I am a living testimony. Be encouraged God is faithful and dependable.
By Pauline Adongo
